2 injections at (fast O3 time):
2019-05-28 09:00:43
2019-05-28 09:02:11
3 injections at (fast NOx time):
2019-05-25 08:53:45
2019-05-25 08:55:24
2019-05-25 08:56:36
The two autosamplers (hereafter called autosamplers #1 and #2) are in the tent.
autosampler #1 connected to ARL_netbook#4 (COM 17). The laptop is also connected to LI-840 (CO2 measurements) via COM 5. Communication OK. Pump OK. Cartridges and valves temperatures OK.
autosampler #2 (actually autosampler #5) connected to ARL_netbook #1 (COM 16). Communication OK. Pump OK. Valves temperature OK. However, cartridges temperature took ~1h30 minutes to reach set temperature of 35°C.
Today we carried a bunch of equipment to the flux hut: Anssi’s intrument, our enclosure systems + associated equipment (pumps etc.), and two calibration tanks for the PTR/TOF/MS. The ice was too thin so we carried everything on the boardwalk…it took us all day…!
5 injections at (fast O3 time):
2019-05-23 08:03:33
2019-05-23 08:11:20
2019-05-23 08:12:30
2019-05-23 08:13:59
2019-05-23 08:15:22
On VI inlet system “Indicators”:
* Advance GC start (s) = 10 instead of 360.
* GC run time (s) = 1200 instead of 1500.
NPL run (600 s): TL_20190521_13
NPL run is good. New sequence started: GCMS_Toolik_20190523.sequence.
Inlet system:
0) Std2 BVOC
2) Ambient BVOC
3) Stop
Time between samples = 4200 s.
We will most likely have to make changes in the SIM method because of the new retention times.
Done 9:40-9:53am AST.
I performed several injections between 10:40-11:00am AST. Unfortunately, the status of the fast NOx lag time valve is not saved in the VI (Jacques saved the fast O3 lag time valve instead). He will update the VI and I’ll do more puff tests when it’s done.
The chromatograms look weird, at least very different from what we got last year.
Today’s chromatogram:
Last year:
I compared the acquisition methods (in :D/MassHunter/GCMS/1/data/Toolik_GCMS_data/acqmeth.text). While Front SSZ Inlet He used to be at 200°C, Detlev changed it to 100°C on 12/09/2018. According to Jacques, this shouldn’t make any difference.
I connected the NPL tank to STD3 inlet.
Inlet system sequence:
0) STD3 BVOC (2400 s)
1) Stop
This is chromatogram TL_20190521_12.
NPL run last summmer (TL_20180728_08):
The separation of the peaks is not as good. Jacques remembers that there is now “Advanced GC start = 360 s” on the inlet system VI (Detlev asked for this), meaning that the GC actually starts 6 min earlier - the oven temperature is thus higher (because it’s been running for 6 more minutes) when the injection is done. This influences the retention times and potentially the separation.
Control Panel > Date and Time > Internet Time > Check Automatically synchronize with an internet time server: time.nist.gov. Synchronization done at 3:04 pm AST. The fast O3 is now ~1min30s ahead of fast NOx.Based on the calibration performed on Sunday, we know that the fast O3 is biased low by ~28-30%. Conversion from counts to ppb has to be updated.
O3 span = 0.000445 becomes 0.000612
offset = 0.11 becomes -1.47
Changes made to VI at 6:46pm AST.
Data from the slow and fast O3 are now ~comparable (keeping in mind that slow O3 was 3% too low compared to calibrator).
Our sensor is off by ~80 degrees compared to data from the station (data available here.). I adjusted the position of the sensor accordingly at ~4pm local time.
Drierite changed on both fast NOx and O3 (at ~1:50-2pm local time). Put drierite in oven at 210°C for 1 hr (LAB 2).
The settings in the sequence of the inlet system were wrong; use settings from last summer (BVOC settings are different from OVOC settings):
* sample time = 2400
* sample flow = 1.25
* backflush time = 180
* desorb time = 300
* flash heat time = 2
* inject time = 30
* bakeout temp = 325 * bakeout time = 40
* carrier flow = 1.25
Started new sequence on GC/MS (and inlet system): GCMS_Toolik_20100521.sequence.xml
Note that the fast NOx data are now being saved in the fast O3 data files.
Columns headers:
* date fast O3 * time fast O3 (hhmm)
* time fast O3 (ss.s)
* counts
* O3 concentration (ppb)
* 0 fast O3 - NO valve status or lag time valve
* 1 fast O3 - NO valve status or lag time valve
* date fast NOx
* time fast NOx (hhmm)
* time fast NOx (ss.s)
* counts
* 0 or 1 (1 = auto mode)
* 0 or 1 (if NO or NOx)
* 0 or 1 (1 if calibration)
* 0 to 7: step in calibration
I performed a few tests with Jacques.
* O2 generator not stable. Changed the fittings at the outlet (see pic below), was damaged. O2 flow is now stable. Jacques still wonders whether the O2 might be contaminated (we see spikes from time to time) - Order ultra high purity O2.
I need to replace the Reed Switch.
1. Disconnect WS/WD rear of MET Controls box
2. Disconnect anemometer from tower
According to instructions:
3. Open the sensor housing
4. Disconnect the wires
TOP to BOTTOM: RED, BLACK, YELLOW, GREEN, WHITE.
5. Push switch cartridge out of its seat. Clean off any old sealant from the top plate assembly.
Done
The WS constantly increases. Something’s wrong. Jacques suggests that the sensor counts the # of rotations but doesn’t seem to convert to m/s. Something’s wrong in the VI. Problem fixed! Jacques made changes in the VI.
New VI: METTower_Toolik_190520.vi
I let the calibrator stabilize for ~1hr.
Set to 0 ppbv from 10:20am (AST) to 10:30.
Set to 25 ppbv from 10:30 to 10:40.
Set to 50 ppbv from 10:40 to 10:50.
Set to 100 ppbv from 10:50 to 11:00.
Set to 200 ppbv from 11:00 to 11:10.
Started calibration at 2:14pm AST (delete data ~20-30 min before, took me several attempts to connect the sample lines). Ended calibration around 4pm AST.
Jacques did a air/water check and a tune yesterday evening : everything looks ok.
Sequence restarted: BVOCs.
Method used: BVOC_SCAN_SIM_180731.
Datafile: TL_20190518_01 to _50.
Sequence on inlet system: 1) 0-air BVOC (changed to Std2 = Breathing Air on 5/20/19 at 4:35pm local time) 2) to 13) Ambient Air
14) Reset
Made room in the hut (took the MET rack apart). The MET controls box and the O3 instrument are now on top of the fast NOx/O3 systems. That’s the best option I could come up with.
We successfully crossed the lake with the PTR-TOF-MS. The instrument is now in the flux hut and Catie is working on it.
We pulled a sample line through the Arctic pipe for the PTR-TOF-MS. ST1 and ST2 lines are out of the pipe.
Question for Detlev: On the picture below, the filter on the left is ours (fast O3/NOx systems), the one on the right is for the PTR-TOF-MS. Do you think they are too close to each other or that their inlet might interfere with ours? I just want to make sure that this setup is okay.
Catastrophe! While slightly moving the NPL tank, a short-circuit happened. I saw sparks and the GC/MS stopped. Everything that was connected to CKT 10 stopped. Strange thing, the fast NOx instrument stopped as well (at least the UPS + fan of H20 pump + laptop). NO flow on fast O3 instrument dropped to 0. I think the line between the NPL tank and the GC/MS touched CKT 10 and that’s how everything happened (see pics below). Jacques and I disconnected everything (computer, GC/MS, UPS) from CKT 10 and connected to CKT 17 instead. GC/MS restarted, fast NOx as well. We will check tomorrow that everything is indeed okay.
The NO flow dropping to 0 on the fast O3 has actually nothing to do with the short-circuit. The needle valve was not sufficiently open. Problem fixed. Keep an eye on this NO flow to make sure it doesn’t drop to 0 again.
Pics of the NPL tank line, CKT 10 and floor below CKT 10.
I made it to Toolik after a 10hr-drive. There’s still snow in Atigun Pass but snow is gone pretty much everywhere else.